Skip to main content
mayologo1
  • Patient Portal
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services

      Featured Services

      • Cardiology (Heart)
      • Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Digestive Care)
      • Neurosurgery
      • Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN)
      • Oncology (Cancer)
      • Orthopedics & Orthopedic Surgery
      • Pain Medicine
      • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
      • Primary Care
      • Sports Medicine
      • Surgery
      • Urology

      View all services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Adams
      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Janesville
      • Kenyon
      • Lake City
      • Le Sueur
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • New Richland
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Rochester
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah
      • Lake Mills

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals

    Recent Posts

    • Drinking bottled water towel on neck
      Speaking of Health
      Preventing kidney stones before they form
      October 03, 2023
    • Tea with honey and lemon
      Featured Topic
      Upper respiratory infection season has arrived
      October 02, 2023
    • Two people eating outdoors
      Speaking of Health
      What's that sound? A heart murmur can be innocent or serious
      September 28, 2023
    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Speaking of Health
    Wednesday, July 19, 2017

    4 steps for back pain relief

    Topics in this Post
    • Back Pain
    • Pain Relief
    FB_Back Pain

    Back pain is a common ailment for many adults. According to the National Institutes of Health, 8 out of 10 adults experience pain in their back at some point in their lives.

    Signs and symptoms of back pain may include:

    • Muscle ache
    • Shooting or stabbing pain
    • Pain that radiates down your leg
    • Limited flexibility or range of motion of the back

    Back pain can come on suddenly, last less than six weeks and be due to improper posture or heavy lifting. If your back pain is sudden onset and not from a recent injury, there are four simple steps you can take to help with the pain:

    1. Apply heat for 20 minutes to the affected area; alternate with ice if necessary.
    2. Continue to be active in your daily routine, and go for light walks.
    3. Do yoga stretches, such as the cow and cat poses, twice daily. Hold each pose for five seconds; repeat 12 times.
    4. Seek help from a health care provider if the pain continues or worsens, especially if the pain radiates into your legs.

    Watch this video about tips for back pain relief:

    By Mayo Clinic Health System staff

    Topics in this Post
    • Back Pain
    • Pain Relief

    Related Posts

    Florist arranging hydrangea blossoms Pain in the back: Spinal arthritis
    Hand on back with pain Managing pain and restoring function
    Turning around in car front seat Targeting pain with restorative neuromodulation

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Home
    © 2018 - 2023 Mayo Clinic Health System